147 Gearshift Bushes - repair and advice

[Sam]

Hi everyone

I'll try to give some background first then my question .   (I hope it all makes sense)

My 147 has had a really sloppy gearshift for a couple of years.
I took it to an Alfa mechanic here in Melbourne about 2 years ago, but he wasn't interested in fixing it because, it would take too long and he didn't have time to search for a kit, and they were hard to get etc.

So I just kept driving it, but now got to a point where I'm having trouble finding reverse, and sometimes second gear.

I couldn't go on any longer so today I bit the bullet, got the tools out, crawled under the car and removed the Shift mechanism myself.

I started researching for repair kits and discovered there are 2 types of shift mechanism using on the 147.

Mine is a single piece, but there is another that came later (?) made of 2 pieces bolted together.

I watched this Youtube vide - he has the same as mine and showed how to repair my style mechanisms which was great -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vWOymyEiSUQ&t=231s

 I only need the 2 plastic bushes, Main Centre and Side Crank .

The kit recommended in the video costs $200.00 AUD shipped, which is freaking expensive for 2 small bits of plastic, so I tried sourcing the parts individually to see if I can get them cheaper.

I found the small bush for only $6:00 AUD, but I cant find anyone that stocks the large bush anywhere.
 
My Question is .....
•   Does anyone know why there were two styles of Shift mechanism?
•   and are the two mechanisms interchangeable?
*    was the 2 piece a later improvement by Alfa to replace the old style?

The reason I ask is, because with the 2 piece mechanism, the top half is bolted down to a bottom frame, and its the top piece that carries all the bushes and can be replace in one go.
 

The 2 piece shifter parts can be easily found and for a reasonable price too.
 
If I can get hold of a 2 piece shifter and just buy the kit, I may be more cost effective instead.

[bazzbazz]

Have you tried to see if Arese Spares in Sydney or Italian Automotive Spares in Melbourne can source the bushes for you?

[Sam]

Arese's was the first Web site I checked, but they only carry parts for the shifter mechanism that can be split into 2 pieces. 

For my type, they only have the smaller bush (pn:46768698) which is common to both types.
Unfortunately I also need the lager bush (pn:46748696) that no one seems to have anymore.

I'll give Arese and Italian Automotive Spares a call tomorrow just to be sure.
 
I think my best bet is to try and find the Spit type mechanism that Arese sells the bushes kit for.

The Spit type seems to be readably available, I just have to find out in they are interchangeable and works on my car.